Stage BasicsMost of your time in this stage will be spent piloting a Rocket Barrel, so identifying and avoiding obstacles should be enough to get you to the end of the main path. However, this stage contains two secret exits and some well-hidden Puzzle Pieces. Consider exactly what you hope to accomplish and plan accordingly. |
The map’s only Buddy Barrel is on the raft at point 1. Remember that your choice of partners will determine which of the available Slot Machine Barrels you can reach. Select Dixie Kong if you hope to unlock stage 3-A: Rickety Rafters. If you aim to unlock stage 3-B: Bramble Scramble, you can select either Dixie Kong or Cranky Kong. If you’re just planning to follow the main path, you’re free to choose any partner you like.
There’s a bonus room hidden at point 2. Dive into the first pool of water, then swim behind the rocks to the left.
Once you enter the bonus room, you have 30 seconds to collect all of the available bananas. If you succeed, a Puzzle Piece appears near the center of the area.
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Fly through the banana coin at point 4, then follow the trail of bananas to the right.
Collect all of the items along the trail to reveal a Puzzle Piece near a large stone arch. Swoop up and grab the Puzzle Piece, then drop to avoid crashing into the top of the arch.
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As you approach the small arch at point 6, drop down to collect the Puzzle Piece floating just above the surface of the water.
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There’s a Puzzle Piece above the small net at point 7. Just after you pass under the larger nets, pull up to grab the Puzzle Piece near the top of the screen.
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The first secret exit is about halfway through the map. To find it, fly through the portal at point 9.
After you pass through the portal, use Dixie Kong’s Helicopter Spin or Cranky Kong’s Cane Bounce to reach the platform near the top of the room. When you’re ready, strike the Slot Machine Barrel to leave the map and unlock stage 3-B: Bramble Scramble. If you don’t have a suitable partner by the time you reach this area, use the portal to the right to return to the main path.
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The stage’s final Puzzle Piece is hidden in a clamshell near the end of the map. When the Rocket Barrel runs out of fuel, you’re dropped into a large pool of water. Before you hit either of the nearby Slot Machine Barrels, swim down and look for the large clamshell at point 11. Corkscrew into the clamshell to reveal the Puzzle Piece hidden inside it.
The map’s second secret exit is at the end of the stage, hidden below the main path. To reach it, you’ll need a little help from Dixie Kong. Avoid touching the Slot Machine Barrel floating above the surface of the water. Instead, swim down to the portal at point 12. There’s a very strong current in this area—activate Dixie Kong’s Ponytail Propeller to swim through the portal.
After you pass through the portal, swim to the surface to find a small pocket of air. Hop out of the water and strike the nearby Slot Machine Barrel to unlock stage 3-A: Rickety Rafters.